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As suggested by Scrum.com only last week speculation is mounting that John Leslie will soon return from Japan to take his place in British rugby. Scrum revealed that Leslie has spent the day at Newcastle and declared himself "impressed" with Rob Andrew's set up.

The injured centre also had preliminary talks with Harlequins and Saracens but he is likely to opt for either Newcastle or a renewed contract with the SRU sponsored Edinburgh Reivers.

Leslie gets married at the end of January in New Zealand and despite his wives' fondness for Scotland's capital city the smart money is currently on the centre joining Scotland team mates Doddie Weir and Stuart Grimes in the north-east of England.